Vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cleaning tool or pick-up head for use with a vacuum sweeper, such as an electric vacuum broom, is adapted for connection to the suction tube or hose of a vacuum cleaner. The head is provided with a free-rolling, hollow, floor-engaging roller that is constructed to minimize frictional resistance to hand-operated movement along a rug and the like, while at the same time, to assure a maximized suction pick-up action of dust, etc., through a floor-engaging nozzle of the head. The cylindrical roller is of hollow or cagelike construction, in order that the dirt may be drawn upwardly therethrough, enabling its positioning substantially centrally within the entry mouth of the housing nozzle.

United States Patent 1 Frazier 1 Oct. 2, 1973 VACUUM CLEANER [22] Filed:May 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 146,883

[52] 11.8. CI 15/422, 15/388, 15/392 [51] Int. Cl A471 9/02 [58] Fieldof Search 15/383, 388, 392, 15/364, 362, 422, 378

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,027,938 1/1936 Taylor15/422 1,527,828 2/1925 Barr v 15/388 1,965,615 7/1934 Sellers 15/3831,361,563 12/1920 Brockway.. 15/383 X 3,189,933 6/1965 Smith 15/350 X3,006,022 10/1961 Mamontov. 15/364 2,910,721 11/1959 Burrage 15/392 XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 626,842 3/1936 Germany 15/388 PrimaryExaminer-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner--C. K. Moore ABSTRACT Acleaning tool or pick-up head for use with a vacuum sweeper, such as anelectric vacuum broom, is adapted for connection to the suction tube orhose of a vacuum cleaner. The head is provided with a free-rolling,hollow, floor-engaging roller that is constructed to minimize frictionalresistance to hand-operated movement along a rug and the like, while atthe same time, to assure a maximized suction pick-up action of dust,etc., through a floor-engaging nozzle of the head. The cylindricalroller is of hollow or cagelike construction, in order that the dirt maybe drawn upwardly therethrough, enabling its positioning substantiallycentrally within the entry mouth of the housing nozzle.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.751 .997

SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN P. FRAZ l ER BY 3w, /JM W 3 aziame t PAIENIEDHBT 2 m 3.761.987SHEEI 20! 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN P. FRAZIER 2, mm 46.; a ti r/26y:

VACUUM CLEANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to an improved cleaner or sweeper which dependsessentially on a vacuum pickup operation for withdrawal of dirt anddebris from rugs. It has particular reference to a wandlike orlightweight sweeper unit and to means for assuring an efficient suctionpick-up action while facilitating a back and forth movement along thefloor and particularly, along heavy, tufted or shaglike carpets andrugs.

2. Description of the Prior Art Lightweight, so-called wand or broomlikevacuum sweepers or floor cleaners have recently come into vogue forquick and effortless pick-up of dust or dirt from a rug or floorsurface. Various sweeper manufacturers are making and selling so-calledvacuum brooms or lightweight sweepers as supplemental cleaning devicesthat have found considerable favor with the housewife. Such a devicerequires an efficient vacuum pick-up engagement between the mouth of itsnozzle and the floor surface to be effective. It has heretofore beencustomary in such a device to use flat surface or two or more small,fixedly positioned, pin mounted wheels on each side of the housingnozzle for movement of the sweeper device along the floor. However, Ihave discovered that these wheels tend to bury themselves in the tuftingor pile of a rug or carpet, with the result that the support of thedevice is primarily carried by the lip portions of the pick-up nozzle,rather than by the wheels. However, it is necessary to have the nozzlein rather close engagement with the carpet to accomplish an efficientair-suction cleaning or pick-up action. The housewife has found that forheavy pile or tufted rugs the device can only with great difficulty bepushed forwardly and, in operation, has to be pulled backwardly, thusmaking impractical customary back and forth movement along the rugsurface.

Analyzing the above problem, I have found it is due not only to thesmall size of the wheels such that they tend to sink into a highlytufted rug, but also due to the fact that the nozzle tends to draw thestrands or tufts of the carpet into it to thus necessitate considerableforce to move it, even if the nozzle is pulled backwardly. The movementof the device is resisted by the friction of the lip and avacuum-created attachment to the portions on the rug surface as well asby the tufts which are being drawn up into it by the suction force. As aresult, the conventional lightweight sweeper has been limited in itsapplication more or less to floor surfaces and to rugs that have littleor no pile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have been able to solve the above problem andto, at the same time, avoid any appreciable or noticeable increase inweight in a so-called broom type of vacuum cleaning device by employinga hollow, passagewaydefining, cross-extending, free-rolling, cylinder orunitary roller that is provided with at least a pair of endpositionedfloor-engaging wheels of such a diameter as to roll smoothly over thesurface being cleaned; the roller is mounted within the open nozzlemouth portion in the direct path of dirt pick-up suction action.Spaced-apart, cross-extending, connecting strap, rod, slotted orperforated portions provide a unitary structure that is operativelypositioned directly within the mouth of the nozzle or within the directpath of dirt pick-up. The cross-extending portions are constructed toassure a unitary structure having throughpassageways through which dirtmay be drawn, to assure that the wheels will freely rotate insynchronism, and to further assure that the pile or tufting of a carpetor rug will be continually moved away from the nozzle interior inopposition to and during the suction movement of dirt up through thenozzle into the housing and collecting bag of the sweeper.

It has thus been an object of the invention to solve the problemheretofore presented in the use of socalled lightweight, wand or broomtypes of vacuum sweepers.

Another object of the invention has been to devise an improved type ofwheeled support and operation of a vacuum utilizing sweeper which willfacilitate back and forth movement of the sweeper nozzle along a floorsurface having relatively thick tufts, a high or thick pile.

A further object of the invention has been to provide a vacuum operatingfloor or cleaning device having an improved wheel type of construction,mounting and utilization.

These and other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled inthe art from the illustrated embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view inelevation illustrating a lightweight vacuum sweeper or floor cleanerconstructed for utilization in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view in elevation through thenozzle end portion of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation on the scale of FIG. 2, particularlyillustrating a roller or cylinder constructed in accordance with theinvention and of the type utilized in the construction of FIG. 2; inthis view, only one of the group of cross-extending, peripherallyspaced-apart, body-forming, straight-line, wheelconnecting rods isshown.

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation on the scale of FIGS. 2 and 3 andshows a slightly modified form of roller.

FIG. 5 is a view on the scale of and similar to FIG. 4 showing a rollerhaving twisted or helical crossextending rod members.

FIG. 6 is an end section on the scale of and taken along the line VIVIof FIGS. 4 and 5.

And FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmental views on a further enlarged scaleshowing details of the construction and mounting of spring-loadedpositioning means for opposite ends of an axle shaft of the roller.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a small broomlike sweeper A is shown ashaving a two-part central body made up of an upper motor-containinghousing part 10a and a lower paper bag-containing housing part 10b thatare typically removably connected together. The motor of the part 10a isenergized by an electric cord 12 leading out through its housing. Thelower end of the lower part has a hollow connecting sleeve or pipe 13that 'carries a hollow connecting neck 16 through the agency of a swiveljoint 14. The lower end of the neck 16 is shown secured within a centralopening to the back side of a nozzle or pick-up head 15. The nozzle orhead 15 is constructed for back and forth movement along a floor area,as manually effected by a handle 11 at the upper end of the sweeper A.

As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 15 has a lower open mouthportion that extends therealong and within and through which a floor orrug-engaging hollow roller or cylinder 20 is operatively positioned. Thenozzle 15 has lip edge portions which are defined by an in-turned,doubled or recessed front flange 15a that is adapted to removablyreceive and position a longitudinally extending and outwardly downwardlyprojecting brush assembly 19. The brush assembly 19 is adapted to,during the movement of the sweeper A, disturb or raise the pile or tuftsof the carpet or rug as well as to loosen dirt and dust, lint, etc., forsuction air force pick-up through the hollow roller 20 and the nozzle,through a pipe or hose into a vacuum unit, or as shown, up into the bagwhich is carried within the lower housing part b. The lip edge portionsof the nozzle also have a back edge in the form of a vertical flange bwhich serves as a mounting flange for a forwardly, horizontallyextending, angle-shaped closure member 17. As shown, the closure member17 is removably secured on the flange 15b by means of screws 18 and itshorizontal shelf portion serves as a suction-sealing, slideshelf incooperation with horizontal shelf portions of the flange 15a; it will benoted that these horizontal portions lie on the same horizontal plane.Wheels 20 in their maximum upward positioning, as may occur when thesweeper A is being moved on a relatively hard surface, such as a tilefloor, are adapted to extend below the lip a minimum distance to providesufficient support for free movement along the cleaning area. It will benoted that the inner edge of the flange 15a has a relatively closelyspaced adjacent relation with respect to the outer periphery of theroller 20 as does the forward edge of the horizontal shelf portion ofthe angle-shaped closure member 17. As a result, major pick-up or dirtremoving action is concentrated in the area represented by thecylindrical-shaped body of the roller 20.

The roller 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3 has a pair of endpositionedfloor-engaging wheels 22 of disclike shape that may be of metal materialwith plastic rubberlike rims. A central, longitudinally extending axleshaft 21 is shown (see FIGS. 7 and 8) journaled at each end byself-lubricated or oil-less bearings 24. A plurality of peripherallyspaced-apart straight-line cross-extending rod or barlike members 23 areshown extending into the wheels 22 and secured thereto at their ends toform an integral construction therewith to define a central body thathas open or through extending passageways through which dirt may bemoved up into the nozzle 15 under the suction air force which isgenerated within the upper housing part 10a.

FIG. 4 shows a slightly modified form of roller 20' which is of the sameconstruction as the roller 20, except that a centrally disposed disclikespacer 22' is provided and shown in the form of a wheel corresponding tothe end wheels 22. In this embodiment, the crossextending members orrods 23 project through and are secured to the central spacer wheel 22adjacent its outer periphery. Also, the axle shaft 21 is rigidlysecured, as by weld metal, to the end-positioned wheels 22 and to thecentrally positioned wheel 22.

In the form of roller shown in FIG. 5, cross-extending members 33 definea roller 20" of somewhat helical shape, since each member is twisted orspiraled along its length to connect between the end positioned 25 and26 along their inner ends which define an entry and exit passageway orguide recess a for removably receiving the associated ends of the shaft21. The guide shoulders 25 and 26 at their inner ends are connectedtogether in a unitary structure and define a more or less verticallyelongated opening with which a vertical bore 25a is in alignment.Spring-loading is provided for each end of the rollers 20, 20 or 20" bya curvilinear ring segment 31 and a compression spring 30. It will benoted that the upper end of the spring 30 is adapted to rest within thebore 25a, while its lower end is secured to carry the associated ringsegment 31. As a result, each roller 20, 20 or 20" is spring-pressedoutwardly or downwardly of the nozzle 15 within which it is mounted to,in effect, give and move upwardly when, for example, a hard surface isencountered and to move outwardly to more or less its maximum outwardposition when a soft or fabriclike surface is encountered. Each rollerhas a free moving position and will rotate in the direction of movementof the sweeper to, in effect, reject or force outwardly tufts or fabricportions of a rug or carpet that are being drawn upwardly towards thenozzle by suction air force that is generated.

In accordance with the invention, the tool part of head 15 may, asillustrated, be swiveled or coupled somewhat directly to a sweeper unit,such as A, or through a suction tube or hose to a vacuum sweepercannister or housing or to a room suction outlet connection, where acentral suction device or unit is provided for the building. Thelongitudinally extending brush assembly 19 serves to loosen and sweepdebris and dirt, thus facilitating operation of the suction force asapplied to the nozzle or head.

An important feature of the construction is the utilization of acylindrical roller, such as 20, 20' or 20", that serves as an operatingenclosure or cage within the open mouth portion of the nozzle and whichhas through-extending passageways that enable the dust and dirt to bedrawn upwardly therethrough into the nozzle. At the same time, rotationof the roller is effected by manual back and forth movement of thenozzle on the surface that is being cleaned and as effected by a pair ofwheels, such as 22, which frictionally engage the surface being cleanedand freely rotate in the direction of movement of the nozzle. The wheelsimpart movement to the roller by reason of the integral connection orattachment therebetween. The movement of the hollow, apertured or openroller enables loose material, such as dirt and debris, to passtherethrough into the nozzle for discharge into a dirt collecting meansand importantly, however, deflects material such as rug tufting that issecured to the surface being cleaned, outwardly in such a manner as tofree it during the movement, facilitate such movement, and minimizeresistance thereto.

Any suitable form of bearings 24 of a self-lubricating type may be used,such as bronze bearings impregnated with graphite or Teflon bearings.Also, preassembled mounting shoe units may be used at each end of theroller 20, etc., for removably mounting it within the open mouth portionof the pick-up head or nozzle 15. In this connection, end shoeassemblies that include bearings mounted on opposite ends of the rollershaft 21 may be adapted to be slid upwardly through bottom slots withinend walls of the head 15, with set screws employed to hold each shoeassembly in position (not shown). This is an alternative to theconstruction shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

movement therein and with respect thereto, said roller having a pair oflongitudinally spaced-apart surfaceengaging wheels that projectoutwardly through the nozzle beyond the lip edge thereabout, said rollerbeing of unitary construction and having a body with crossextendingconnecting portions between said wheels that define open passagewaystherethrough for bypassing dirt into the nozzle upon the application ofnegative air pressure thereto, and said roller being adapted to rotateforwardly and backwardly in the direction of movement of said nozzlealong the surface to, during such movement, deflect material secured tothe surface outwardly that is being drawn towards the nozzle by negativepressure induced air flow.

2. In a cleaning tool as defined in claim 1, the body of said rollerbeing constructed of rodlike portions extending across between said pairof wheels and connected thereto adjacent to and at spaced locationsalong the peripheries thereof.

1. In a cleaning tool for coupling to a vacuum sweeper housing having anactive suction force producing means for inducing negative pressure airflow into and through the cleaning tool to pick up dirt from a surfacesuch as a rug or floor, wherein the tool has a nozzle provided with anendwise-elongated open-mouth portion defined by a lip edge thereabout,the improvement which comprises, an elongated roller operativelypositioned within the open mouth portion for rotative movement thereinand with respect thereto, said roller having a pair of longitudinallyspaced-apart surface-engaging wheels that project outwardly through thenozzle beyond the lip edge thereabout, said roller being of unitaryconstruction and having a body with cross-extending connecting portionsbetween said wheels that define open passageways therethrough forbypassing dirt into the nozzle upon the application of negative airpressure thereto, and said roller being adapted to rotate forwardly andbackwardly in the direction of movement of said nozzle along the surfaceto, during such movement, deflect material secured to the surfaceoutwardly that is being drawn towards the nozzle by negative pressureinduced air flow.
 2. In a cleaning tool as defined in claim 1, the bodyof said roller being constructed of rodlike portions extending acrossbetween said pair of wheels and connected thereto adjacent to and atspaced locations along the peripheries thereof.